After all, the CA-COVID, corporate and private efforts put into extending palliatives to customers and other interest groups within a company’s target publics may be in vain.
Like Coca-Cola has always done, now is the time to consistently plant your seeds so that you can harvest bountifully as the dreaded COVID-19 gradually recedes.
It’s no news that businesses have closed, reopened and closed again in some regions. In Nigeria, businesses are opening gradually though. Within this period, suffice to say millions have shifted their shopping online. Predictions remain that 20 to 25 percent of workers will never return to an office, declared Rob Weinberg adding that shopping patterns for eateries, shoes, and almost everything else could permanently change.
Trillions of dollars have already filtered into the system, yet who knows what the future will bring? Rob questioned.
Smart business owners are examining their marketing plans to protect themselves in this environment.
A good place to start: contact your employees daily, providing emotional support. Keep team members on payroll (even if just partially) so you’re not short-staffed when business returns and reinforce that you’re not disappearing.
Along those lines, actively remind customers and vendors of your business’ presence by:
1) Keeping your online store and customer service current. Web-based sales promotions are a great way to stay top-of-mind.
2) Communicating directly. Regularly email anyone with whom you have ever had a business relationship with a simple message: “We’re here. See you soon.”
3) Being sensitive. Be flexible about extending credit to those out of work; they’ll remember you when things improve.
4) Providing free services. Delivering personalized services that national chains can’t or won’t do will remind the community why it’s important they support your business.
5) Remembering special things about customers and their families (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.) tells people they’re not just a number in a ledger.
6) Planning a huge sale or celebration when the store finally re-opens.
Mr. Marketing Manager and or Brand Manager providing a human touch makes competing possible in today’s world. Advertising and messaging on various platforms are all smart moves.
Want another good way to remind folks about the value your business brings? Donate or speak to community clubs, underwrite charitable auctions and get involved on the boards of area groups. They’ll all draw attention to what makes you different.
It’s a simple strategy: The best reason to market big in 2020 is 2021, and the philosophy applies more today than ever before. Maintain your presence and plant lots of seeds now to help you see lots of growth when the dust settles.
With that said, I wish you a week of profitable marketing.
With additional reports from AskMrMarketing.com.